Bunnahabhain

Scotland: Islay

If you’ve been wanting to try an Islay whisky, but have been put off by the heavy peatiness and almost medicinal flavours of some of the biggies like Laphroaig and Lagavulin, then Bunnahabhain – mild, sweet, and gentle – is for you!

Bunnahabhain (pronounced boon-a-hah-ven) is situated on the north-east coast of Islay and was founded in 1881. Its remote location was chosen largely because it was easily accessible from the mainland by boat. The founders (William Robertson and the brothers James and William Greenless) did, however, have to build a one mile road from their chosen spot to the Islay main road in order to have a link with the rest of the island!

Bunnahabhain, often also referred to as Bunnie, takes it’s name from the Gaelic Bun na h-Abhainn, which means Mouth of the River. The river in question is the Margadale, from which the distillery takes its water. And it’s this river that is responsible for the more subtle characteristic of Bunnhabhain whisky, as the water doesn’t run through the Islay peat beds like it does at the other distilleries. In addition, the barley used for Bunnhabhain is only lightly peated.

The distillery’s output of 2.5 million litres per year is largely used in Black Bottle, a blend of all the Islay whiskies. However, Bunnahabhain single malt whisky is growing in popularity, with the main market being the UK.